VIDEOCONFERENCING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
VISION
Court Services Branch has created a provincial network for videoconferencing in courts and
correctional centres. Our vision is that “videoconferencing is a regular part of daily operations
which will be used whenever appropriate, to reduce or avoid movement of prisoners, witnesses
and judges and to expedite the timely progress of cases”
OVERVIEW OF BRITISH COLUMBIA’S NETWORK
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Videoconferencing technology enables simultaneous visual and oral communication
between different locations.
Currently 33 court locations and 13 correctional centres are operational (see attached
diagram), and several locations have more than one set of videoconferencing equipment.
Most courthouse equipment is capable of being moved between courtrooms and is shared
between Provincial Court and Supreme Court.
This network has expanded rapidly, most sites are experiencing increasing levels of use and
recently additional operators have been trained at all sites. Most sites use ISDN lines,
enabling a high quality 6 channel connection while smaller communities or remote locations
use Datadial 56 or Switched 56 cabling which enables a slightly slower 2 channel link.
Practically any imaginable use has already occurred, in criminal, civil and family cases, with
various configurations of links. Many courthouses have already conducted court events with
links throughout North America and to other continents.
Bail hearings and interim remands. In 2002, 4200 court appearances have occurred by
videoconference where accused persons remained in custody at detention centres. Some
courts are experimenting with one judge conducting bail hearings for other court locations to
rebalance caseload and improve use of trial time.
Trials. Hundreds of cases have occurred where expert and other witnesses attend from
remote locations. Guilty pleas and sentencing hearings have been conducted with the
accused remaining appearing by video link.
Civil and Family Cases. Pre-Trial and case management conferences using
videoconferences enable counsel or judges to avoid travel.
Masters or judges have heard chambers lists remotely without needing to travel.
Judges have continued and concluded cases remotely avoiding the need to travel.
The BC Court of Appeal now has a VC system in Vancouver that has reduced travel to other
centres. Appellants can be located anywhere in the province while three justices sit in
Vancouver.
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RESPONSES AND FEEDBACK
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Judges. Many judges have indicated that videoconferencing has enabled cases to conclude
more quickly, with key witnesses available for reasonable duration and cost, and has
allowed judges to conclude matters remotely without undue delay or incurring travel time and
cost.
The Bar. Lawyers who have participated in videoconferences have provided positive
feedback, with the vast majority reporting benefits to their clients and indicating saying they
would definitely use the technology again.
Inmates. Staff at correctional centres and defence counsel report that more inmates are
requesting to appear by videoconference. Often this is preferred over discharge and
readmission, travelling several hours in vans, staying in temporary holding cells, disrupting
programs or activities, for very brief administrative appearances at court.
BENEFITS
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Benefits are expected to increase as use increases. Several specific benefits from
videoconferencing include:
• Increased safety in courthouses and during escorts. By reducing or avoiding prisoner
movements, crowding and tensions can be reduced in escort vehicles and in cellblocks.
Safety inside correctional institutions can be improved with less chance of contraband
entering.
• Improved cost effectiveness of services. Videoconferencing can help reduce or avoid
keep of prisoner expenditures. Correctional centres can reduce time spent logging
prisoners and their personal effects in and out. Virtual appearances can reduce the need
to call out auxiliary deputy sheriffs or police support via emergency response teams.
Regular links for inmate appearances should enable cost avoidance on expansion of
cellblocks or vehicle fleet. Witness appearances can occur at reduced cost and with
greater certainty.
• Improved access to justice services. Costs of proceedings can be reduced when
witnesses, party, co-counsel or judge avoid travel. The ability to conduct a scheduled
link by videoconference can eliminate or reduce obstacles to case completion and
provide better access for protected and vulnerable witnesses.
Future:
• We envision a broader application of Video Conferencing systems to address
proceedings such as Traffic Court prosecutions allowing police officers the ability to
present their case before a JP without actually leaving the police station.
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As courthouses consolidate, Video Conferencing systems can provide a form of judicial
presence in previously serviced locations. There is interest on the part of municipal and
provincial governments to develop mutually beneficial working arrangements to service
such communities.
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Current systems cost $18,000 to $20,000. As with all technologies, these prices will drop
making justification a simpler task. We also anticipate other technology platforms to
mature bringing additional options to the courts. Some jurisdictions, such as Ontario,
have found the use of Video Phones to be acceptable in specific court applications.
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MINISTRY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
VIDEOCONFERENCING NETWORK
Courts
Vancouver Island
Lower Mainland
Interior
North
Campbell River
Courtenay
Nanaimo
Powell River
Victoria (2)
Port Alberni
Abbotsford In-custody
Abbotsford
Chilliwack
New Westminster
North Vancouver
Port Coquitlam
Richmond
Robson Square
Sechelt
Surrey
Surrey -South Fraser Bail
Vancouver JP
Vancouver Law Courts (2)
Cranbrook
Kamloops
Kelowna
Kelowna – Bail
Nelson
Penticton
Vernon
Salmon Arm
Dawson Creek
Fort St. John
Prince George (2)
Prince Rupert
Quesnel
Smithers
Terrace
Williams Lake
Jails
Vancouver Island
Lower Mainland
Interior
North
Vancouver Island Regional
Correctional Centre (2)
Victoria Youth Secure
Custody Centre
Burnaby Correctional
Centre for Women
Burnaby Youth Secure
Custody Centre
North Fraser Pre-Trial Ctr (4)
Surrey Pre-Trial Centre
Vancouver Jail
Vancouver Pre-Trial (1)
Matsqui Federal Institution
Kamloops
Regional
Correctional
Centre (2)
Prince George Regional
Correctional Centre (2)
Prince George Youth
Secure Custody Centre
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